Fluorene-2-acetic acids and derivatives, composition and method of using

ABSTRACT

Novel fluorene-2-acetic acid derivatives and methods for preparing these derivatives are provided. Inflammatory conditions may be treated by administering these novel compounds. Additionally, it has been found that the treatment of inflammatory conditions is a new use for certain known compounds; specifically, fluorene-2-acetic acid and its 7-halo, 7-amino, and 7-nitro derivatives.

United States Patent [191 Stiller et al.

[4 1 Dec. 24, 1974 [73] Assignee: E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.,

Princeton, NJ.

[22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 298,102

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 70,913, Sept. 9,

[52] US. Cl 424/317, 260/515, 260/471,'

260/465, 260/473, 260/518, 260/520, 424/304, 424/308, 424/309 [51] Int. Cl A61k 27/00 [58] Field of Search 260/515; 424/317 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,709,994 l/l973 Bencze 424/317 Primary Examiner-Stanley J. Friedman Attorney, Agent, or FirmLawrence S. Levinson; Merle J. Smith; Donald J. Barrack [57] ABSTRACT Novel fluorene-Z-acetic acid derivatives and methods for preparing these derivatives are provided. Inflammatory conditions may be treated by administering these novel compounds. Additionally, it has been found that the treatment of inflammatory conditions is a new use for certain known compounds; specifically, fluorene-2-acetic acid and its 7-halo, 7-amino, and 7- nitro derivatives.

8 Claims, N0 Drawings 1 FLUORENE-Z-ACETIC ACIDS AND DERIVATIVES,

'' DO MTOSITIDN KNDTVTETIIDDDF USING This application is a continuation-in-part of copending US. application Ser. No. 70,913, filed Sept. 9, 1970.

This invention relates to new fluorene-Z-acetic acid derivatives having the structure wherein X hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxyl, lower wherein Z is COOH, COOR or CN; R is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl or monocyclic cycloalkyl; R is hydrogen or alkyl containing from one to about twelve carbon atoms or monocyclic cycloalkyl; R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or monocyclic cycloalkyl; and R is lower alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or a metallic ion. Where X is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or amino, Y is other than CH COOH.

Further in accordance with the presentinvention, a method is provided for treating inflammatory conditions and conditions responsive to treatment with antiinflammatory agents, which comprises administering an anti-inflammatory amount of the novel compounds above described; of fluorene-Z-acetic acid; or of the 7- halo, 7-nitro, or 7-amino substituted fluorene-2-acetic acid.

Fluorene-Z-acetic acid and its 7-halo, 7-nitro and 7- amino derivatives are known. The preparation of these compounds is taught, for example, by Ogato et al. in J. Org. Chem., l8, 1329 (1953). The term lower alkyl as employed herein includes both straight and branched chain radicals of up to and including eight carbon atoms, for instance, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl, 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl and the like. The lower alkyl group can include substituents such as aryl.

The halogen can be F, Br, Cl or I.

The term lower alkoxy includes straight and branched chain radicals of the structure RO- wherein R includes any of the above lower alkyl groups.

The amino groups may include unsubstituted amino or monoor di-lower alkyl amino groups, wherein lower alkyl is as defined above, such as amino, methylamino, ethylamino, isopropylamino, heptylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methylethylamino, methylbutylamino, ethyl-i-propylamino, acylamino, wherein the acyl group is derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acids containing less than twelve carbon atoms, and may be exemplified by the lower alkanoic acids (e.g., formic, acetic, propionic, butyric,

.valeric, trimethyl acetic and caproic acids), the lower alkoxy, halogen, amino, trifluoromethyl or nitro and Y is ylic acids (e.g., cyclobutane carboxylic acid, cyclopentane carboxylic acid and cyclohexane carboxylic acid), the cycloalkenyl carboxylic acids (e.g., 2-cyclohutenc carboxylic acid and 3-cyclopentene carboxylic acid), the cycloallgyl and cycloalkenyl-lower alkanoic acid [e.g., cyclohexaneacetic, a-cyclopentanebutyric, 2- cyclopenteneacetic and '3-(3-cyclohexene) pentenoic acid], and the like.

The term monocyclic aryl as employed herein includes monocyclic carbocyclic aryl radicals, for instance, phenyl and substituted phenyl radicals, including lower alkylphenyl, such as tolyl, ethylphenyl, butylphenyl and the like, di(lower alkyl)phenyl (e.g., dimethylphenyl, 3,5-diethylphenyl, and the like), halophenyl (e.g., chlorophenyl, bromophenyl, and 2,4,5- trichlorophenyl) and nitrophenyl.

The term monocyclic cycloalkyl includes cyclic radicals containing from 3 to 6 ring members (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl).

Examples of compounds falling within the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following:

A fo-ooocnu CHaO A I-o-oooa ozmo o-op OOaH C1 C O 0 CAHD n cm A CCN ("3H on? A CO0CH= 36 .4 OF3@/\ CHzCO0CHa niN- O-GOOCHa onto -omooon (IJHa or A CH-COOH 40 monomooom The compounds of formula I wherein Y is can be prepared by reacting fluorene or a 7-substituted fluorene with a lower alkyl oxalyl halide having the structure in the presence of a catalyst such as aluminum chloride or other F riedel-Crafts catalyst to form a compound of the structure III 0 i l-F O R wherein R is lower alkyl, such as ethyL.

The above reaction is carried out in the presence of an inert solvent such as ethylene dichloride, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, or petroleumether, at a 09:1 to about 0.75:] and preferably from about 0.9:1 to about 0.85:1.

The COOR in Compound [ll wherein R is alkyl can be converted to the corresponding carboxyl group to form a fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid by basic hydrolysis, that is by reacting a fluorene derivative of structure Ill with a base such as an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or alkoxide, such as sodium hydroxide or sodium methoxide, in the presence of an aqueous alcohol containing up to about five carbon atoms, such as methanol or ethanol. These carboxylic acids can be esterified to form the corresponding esters by conventional methods known in the art.

Compounds of the structure I wherein Y is can be prepared by reacting a fluorene derivative of structure Ill wherein R =H in solution in ethyl ether or other solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, isopropyl ether, or methylal, with a Grignard reagent '(R MgHal) such as CH Mgl, in ethyl ether to form a compound of the structure IV R1 (J-coon wherein R is hydroxyl.

Compounds corresponding to compound [V wherein R is lower alkyl or cycloalkyl can be prepared as follows: esters of compounds of the type [V where R is hydrogen are alkylated with an alkyl halide or cycloalkyl halide in dimethylformamide or diglyme in the presence of a base such as sodium hydride.

Compounds of the structure I wherein Y is i.e., a-methylene fluorene-2-acetic acid, can be prepared by reacting an a-substituted-a-hydroxyfluorene- Z-acetic acid of structure lV containing a hydrogen on the carbon vicinal to the hydroxyl group with a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid in dioxane or other solvent such as tetrahydrofuran.

Compounds of structure I wherein Y is 4 in; -i J-oooH can also be prepared by reacting compounds of structure III in a Wittig reaction with a substituted triphenylphosphonium halide such as methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide.

Compounds'of formula I wherein Y is R1 -b-c00H wherein R is hydrogen can be prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of the above compounds.

In addition, in accordance with thepresent invention, compounds of the structure are provided wherein X is hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and trifluoromethyl.

Compounds of structure V can be prepared by reacting a 7-substituted fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid or ester of structure Ill and fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid with hydrazine or hydrazine hydrate in a modified Wolf-Kishner reaction at a temperature within the range of from about 130 to about 180C until solution is achieved, cooling the solution to a temperature within the range of from about 50 to about 60C and treating the cooled solution with a base such as an alkali metal hydroxide or alkoxide such as potassium hydroxide or sodium ethoxide.

In preparing compounds of structure V, the fluorene compound is employed in a molar ratio to the hydrazine compound of within the range of from about 0.0121 to about 0.2:l and preferably from about 0.01:1 to about 0.05:]. The base is employed in a molar ratio to the fluorene compound of within the range of from about 0.15:] to about 0.311 and preferably from about 0.2:1 to about 0.25:].

Compounds of the structure V and compounds of formula l wherein Y is may be prepared by reacting the appropriately substituted fluorene-2-carboxylic acid halide with a diazoalkane to form the corresponding diazoketone followed by a Wolff rearrangement to an ester and hydrolysis.

I Rl

- X A Z-CN wherein R is other than hydroxyl can be prepared by alkylating a 2-fluoreneacetonitrile of the structure VII XOACHNN with an alkyl or cycloalkyl halide in the presence of a base such as sodium hydride in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide or diglyme.

The cyano group of compound Vl can be hydrolyzed to a carboxyl group.

Compounds of the structure I wherein Y is vrn o JL-m with an alkali metal cyanide such as sodium cyanide or hydrogen cyanide in an acidic medium.

Compounds of the structure I wherein Y is lam can be prepared by dehydrating an a-hydroxy fluorene- 2-acetonitrile of the structure OH IX which contains a hydrogen on the carbon vicinal to the hydroxyl group with a mineral acid or with phosphorous oxychloride in a suitable solvent. The resulting compounds of the structure Z1. XOA (J-ON can be converted to the corresponding carboxylic acids Xl by catalytic hydrogenation followed by basic hydrolysis.

Compounds of formula I wherein Y is 1 -$-COOH or CH COOH can be converted to the corresponding 7-hydroxylated compounds by fermentation in the presence of an appropriate organism.

The enzymatic 7-hydroxylation can be accomplished either by including the fluorene substrate in a growing or mature culture of an appropriate microorganism, or by treating the substrate with the cells, spores or mycelium of such a culture separated from the growth medium or hydroxylating enzymes separated from cells of such microorganisms.

Suitable microorganisms for hydroxylation include members of the genera: Aspergillus (e.g., A. oclzraceus, A. nidulans, A. niger), Rhizopus (e.g., R. arr/iizus), Syncephalstrum (e.g., S. racemosum), Thamnidium (e.g., T. elegans), Mucor (e.g., M. adriaticus), Trichothecium (e.g., T. roseum), Phycomyces (e.g., P. nitens), Penicillium (e.g., P. expansum), Blakeslea (e.g., B. lrispora), Cercospora (e.g., C. me10nis),Cunninghamella (e.g., C. blakesleeana), Botrytis (e.g., B. cinerea), or Corticium (e.g., C. sasaki).

If the microorganism is used per se, it is grown aero-' medium in the presence of an adequate supply of oxygen (air). A suitable nutrient medium essentially comprises a source of nitrogenous factors and an assimilable source of carbon and energy. The latter may be a carbohydrate, such as sucrose, molasses, glucose, maltose, starch or dextrin. The source of nitrogenous factors may be organic (e.g., soybean meal, corn steep liquor, meat extract, distillers solubl'es, peptones and/or yeast extract) or synthetic (i.e., composed of simple, synthesizable organic and inorganic compounds such as ammonium salts, alkali nitrates, amino acids or area).

The acid substrate, in aqueous, aqueous alcoholic solution or dimethylformamide solution, is added either prior to or during the culturing of the microorganism, if the microorganism is used per se, or to an aqueous medium containing the separated cells, spores or cellfree hydroxylating enzyme, if this procedure is employed. After about 1 to about 200 hours, depending on the concentration of this acid and enzyme, the reaction is substantially complete. The resulting 7- hydroxylated derivative can then be recovered by filtration or centrifugation (if solid) or by countercurrent extraction.

These 7-hydroxylated compounds can also be prepared from the corresponding 7-amino compounds by diazotization as described hereinbefore.

Of the fluorene-Z-acetic acid derivatives, a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid is of particular interest. It has been found that each of the d and the 1 optical isomers, as well as the dl mixture, possesses antiinflammatory activity.

The optical isomers of a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid may be obtained in the normal way by resolution of the racemic mixture. This is done by reacting the mixture with an optically active base (the resolving agent) to yield diastereoisomers two salts with different rotatory values, solubilities, and melting points. Separation of the salts may be done by fractional crystallization. The salts may then be converted to the free acid by treatment with a mineral acid. Examples of optically active compounds that are useful as resolving agents are a-methylbenzylamine, cinchonidine, cinchonine, a-methylnaphthylamine, dehydroabietylamine, amphetamine, and strychnine.

The fluorene-Z-acetic acid derivatives of the invention form salts with organic bases, e.g. alkylamines such as methylamine, ethylamine, isopropylamine, glucamine, aniline, dimethylamine, etc., heterocyclic amines such as piperidine, morpholine, and the like, and with inorganic bases, e.g., ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc., alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, etc., alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc. These basic salts may be used in the preparation and/or isolation of the products of this invention. When the product is produced in the form of a basic salt, neutralization with an acid, e.g., a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, or organic acid such as citric acid, will yield the compound in the acid form. Other basic salts may then be formed by reaction with the appropriate organic or inorganic base.

The compounds of this invention are useful as antiinflammatory agents and are effective in the prevention and inhibition of granuloma tissue formation in warm blooded animals, for example, in a manner similar to indomethacin. They may be used to decrease joint swelling tenderness, pain and stiffness, in mammalian species, e.g., in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. A compound of this invention or a physiologically acceptable salt of the character described above may be compounded according to accepted pharmaceutical practice in oral dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, elixirs or powders for administration of about mg to 2 gm per day, preferably 100 mg to 1 gm per day, in two to four divided doses. For example, about mg/kg/day is effective in reducing paw swelling in rats. For the purpose of illustrating how the compounds of this invention may be formulated for oral dosage, typical capsule and tablet formulations are described below, along with the procedure for their production.

aMethylfluorene-Z-acetic acid; capsules Formulation of the capsules is accomplished by first mixing the active ingredient with a portion of the magnesium stearate. If it is necessary, the blend may be densified by slugging or other suitable means. The densified material is screened so that a uniform powder results. The remainder of the magnesium stearate, all of the talc, and all of the lactose are added and mixed. The formulation is added to No. 2 hard gelatin capsules (2 piece). The amount of lactose (and hence the capsule fill weight) may vary as the density of the a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid varies.

a-Methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid; tablets per tablet Granulation No. l

a-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid 250 mg starch, U.S.P. 20mg povidone. N.F. 20 mg SD 3A alcohol 0.] ml* lactose. U.S.P. I85 mg 475 mg Final mix Granulation No. l 475 mg starch. U.S.P. 20 mg magnesium stearate. U.S.P. 2.5 mg stearic acid, U.S.P. 2.5 mg 500 mg "does not appear in final product.

Formulation of the tablets is accomplished by first mixing the active ingredient, the starch, and the lactose. The povidone is dissolved in the SD 3A alcohol. The mixed powder is granulated with the alcohol-povidone solution (additional alcohol is used as needed to obtain a uniformly wet mass). The wet mass is passed through a hammer mill at slow speed, with knives forward and with a seven-eighths inch screen. After drying at 40C the dry granulation is passed through a hammer mill at slow speed, with knives forward, and a three thirtyseconds inch screen.

The granules obtained are mixed with the starch, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid to yield the final mlX.

Tableting is accomplished using a thirteen thirtyseconds inch round standard concave punch and die.

The anti-inflammatory activities of fluorene-Z-acetic acid and its derivatives may be tested by a carrageenininduced edema assay. Carrageenin injected into the footpad ofrats produces an edematous condition, due mainly to vaso-active mediators. The compound to be tested is administered orally and assessed for inhibition of the edema.

The compounds of the invention can also be employed as sun-screcning agents and as intermediates for reaction with 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid to produce new useful penicillins and cephalosporins.

The following examples represent specific embodiments of the present invention. All temperatures are given on the Centigrade scale.

EXAMPLE 1 Ethyl Fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid A suspension of aluminum chloride (75 g) in ethylene dichloride (200 ml) is cooled to and treated dropwise over a 1 hour period with a solution of ethyl oxalyl chloride (50 g) and fluorene (53.6 g) in ethylene dichloride (200 ml), while maintaining the temperature below The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature (4 hours). The mixture is then poured into ice-water, acidifed to pH 2.0 with 10% HCI and extracted with ether. The ether extracts are washed with water. dried (MgSO and evaporated to give the title compound (86 g, mp 8l82). The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from methanol: mp 8l-82.

Anal. Calcd. Found C.

EXAMPLES 2 to 7 By reacting ethyl oxalyl chloride with the 2- substituted fluorenes shown in the left hand column of Table l in accordance with the procedure of Example 1, the fluorene-2-glyoxylic acid esters shown in the right hand column of Table l are obtained.

EXAM PLE 8 Fluoren-Z-glyoxylic acid A mixture of ethyl fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid (9.95 g) and sodium hydroxide (1.60 g) in 50% aqueous ethanol ml) is refluxed for 0.5 hour, cooled and acidified to pH 2.0 with 10% HCl. The reaction mixture is extracted with ether, and the ether extracts dried (MgSO and evaporated. The residue is crystallized from benzene-hexane (Darco) to give the title compound (7.1 g, mp l35l 37). The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from benzcnchexane: mp l39l40.

Anal. Calcd. C. Found C.

EXAMPLES 9-14 Following the procedure of Example 2. but substituting the 7-substituted fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid esters of Examples 2 to 7 for the ethyl fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid. the corresponding 7-substituted fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acids are produced, namely Fluorene-2-acetic acid A suspension of fluorene-2-glyoxylic acid (33.7 g) in hydrazine hydrate (50 ml) is refluxed until solution is achieved, cooled and treated with potassium hydroxide (33.7 g) in portions. The mixture is then refluxed for 1 hour, and the excess hydrazine removed by distillation. The residue is dissolved in water and extracted with chloroform. The aqueous layer is acidified to pH 2.0 with [0% HCl and extracted with ether. The ether extracts are washed, dried (MgSO and evaporated to give the title compound (29.7 g, mp l84l86).

Anal. Calcd. Found EXAMPLESl6 TO 18 Following the procedure of Example l5 and reacting the 7-substituted fluorene-2-glyoxylic acid shown in the left hand column of Table ll (prepared as described in Examples 8 to 14) with hydrazine hydrate, the 7- EXAMPLE 26 substituted fluorene-Z-acetic acid shown in the right a-Methyleneflllofene-z-acellc aC d.

hand Column f Table H is Obtained- A solution of a-methyl-a-hydroxyfluorene-Z-acetic TABLE II 0 ll x gjn-omo OOH x I ]CCOOH Example X X sHn Cs n OCH; OCH:

EXAMPLE l9 acid (5.7 g) and sulfuric acid (11.4 ml) in dioxane (300 ml) is refluxed for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is (PMethyl'whydroxyfluorene'z'aceuc acld poured into ice water and extracted with ether. The

A cooled solution of fluorene-Z-glyoxylic acid (4.5 g) in ether (150 ml) is treated dropwise over a 45 minute period with Grignard reagent prepared from magnesium (2.1 g) and methyl iodide (6.5 ml) in ether (145 ml). The mixture is then stirred for 2 hours at room temperature and poured into ice water. The mixture is treated with 250 ml 50% acetic acid and finally acidified to pH 2.0 with 10% HCl. The ether layer is separated, and the aqueous extracted with additional ether.

Anal. Calcd. Found EXAMPLES 20 TO 25 By reacting the 7-substituted fluorene-2-glyoxylic acid shown in the left hand column of Table III with the Grignard reagent shown in the middle column, employing the procedure described in Example 19 the a-alkyla-hydroxyfluorene-2-acetic acid shown in the right hand column of Table is obtained.

ether extracts are washed with water, dried (MgSO and evaporated to give the title compound (5.2 g, mp l83185). The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from 95% ethanol, mp ll9l, M 880 cm".

Anal. Calcd. C. 8|.34; H. 5.l2 Found .5.

EXAMPLES 27 TO 29 By refluxing a solution of a 7-substituted a-alkyl-ahydroxyfluorene-Z-acetic acid and sulfuric acid in dioxane in accordance with the procedure of Example 26, the corresponding a-alkylenefluorene-Z-acetic acid as shown in Table [V below is formed.

Table IV EH x E-00011 TABLE III N R MgHal on x A -c-ooon X- A C-COOH Example X R Hal X R 20 N(CH )2 1--C3H1 I N(CHa)2 a 1 21 C H3 B! C H3 22 OCzHa V 01 0C2Hn V 01 OH: I Cl CH3 NHg C2H6 01 NH; Cal-I5 N02 C3H1 I NO: C3H1 Table lV-Continued ABLE V Example X R O 27 H X A -l 3 X :-oN 28 H: CH, 5 l 2 29 2 c n Ex. x R2 x EXAMPLE 30 32 i=CaH7 i-Ca v a-Methylene fluorene-2-acetic acid A mixture of sodium hydride (0.48g.) and dimethylsulfoxide (5ml.) is stirred and heated at 7080 until the evolution of hydrogen ceases. The cooled solution 33 002115 is treated with methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (7.14g.) in dimethylsulfoxide (l()ml.), stirred for l0 minutes and treated with ethyl fluorene-2-glyoxylic acid (5.32g.). The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hr., the solvent evaporated and the residue extracted with ether after the addition of water. The ether extracts are as N02 washed with water, dried (MgSO and evaporated. The residue is hydrolyzed by refluxing it in 50% metha- (50ml) con talnm g potas slum hydroxide f lution is made alkaline with 50% aqueous sodium hy- 3 The reactlon mlxture 1S concentrated droxide, and then refluxed until the evolution of ammoand extracted with ether. The ether extracts are washed ,5 ma ceases. The solution acidified and extracted with with water, dried (MgSO and evaporated to give the title compound ether. The ether extracts are washed with water, dried (MgSO and evaporated. The residue is dissolved in EXAMPLE 3! dioxane (l50ml.) and sulfuric acid (5ml.) and refluxed for 2 hr. The reaction mixture is poured into ice water and extracted with ether. After drying and evaporation 5 a4 Br NH2 N02 a-Hydroxy-a-methyl-fluorene-2-acetonitrile A mixture of 2-acetylfluorene (5.32g.) in ether (20ml.) and water (40ml.) is cooled to 5 and agitated the compound 1b Obtamed' vigorously. Sodium cyanide (2.45g.) is added portion- EXAMPLES 3 TO 41 wise and the solution is then treated with cone. HCl

(4.8ml.) while maintaining the temperature between 5 Y reacting the z'fluorene'hydroxyacetonltrlles P 5-10. The mixture is then stirred for 2 hr. at room duced hereinbefofe Show" in Table by the temperature, diluted with water and extracted with Procedure f Example 37, the corresponding a-alkylether. The ether extracts are dried(MgSO and evapoene fluorene-Z-acetic acid is obtained as shown in rated to give the titled compound. Table VI below.

TABLE v1 34 o on t CN X- N Example X R2 X R4 C7H15 t-Ci o CoHia CnHm OCH: CsHn CnHza Cl (31011 1 CH3 N02 EXAMPLES 32 TO 36 EXAMPLE 42 By reacting a 2-acyl fluorene as shown in the left a-Methyl fluorene-Z-acetie acid hand column of Table V with sodium cyanide and hy- A Solution of wmethyleneflumene z acetic acid drochloric acid in accordance with the procedure of (26%) in dioxane (50mm is hydrogenated in the p Example the 'f f ence of 5% palladium on charcoal (800mg). The mixshown m the fight hand column of Table V Obtamed' ture is filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue is sublimed to afford the title compound EXAMPLE 37 (2.6g). The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from aqueous methanol. mp l8ll82.

a-Methylene fluorene-2-acetic acid The a-hydroxy-a-methyl-fluorcne-Z-acetonitrile is treated with cone. HCl (50ml.) and this solution is satu- Anal. Calcd. c. x004; H. 5.92. Found C, 80.46; H. 5.78.

rated with HCl and allowed to stand overnight. The so- EXAMPLES 43 TO 45 By hydrogenating the a-alkylene fluorene-2-acetic acids prepared hereinbefore according to the procedure Example 42, the corresponding acid is formed as shown in Table VII below.

a-Methylfluorene-Z-acetonitrile A solution of fluorene-Z-acetonitrile (2g) in dimethylformamide is treated with sodium hydride (4l5mg.) portionwise while stirring under nitrogen. After the acidified to pH 2.0 with HCl and extracted with ether. The ether extracts are washed with water, dried (MgSO and evaporated to give the title compound.

EXAMPLE 54 a-Methylfluorene-2-acetic acid Following the procedure of Examples 46 and 53 but substituting methyl a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid for a-methylfluorene-Z-acetonitrile, there is obtained the title compound.

EXAM PLE 5 5 a-Dimethylfluorene-2-acetic acid Following the procedures of Examples 46 and 53 but substituting either methyl a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid or a-methylfluorene-2-acetonitrile for the fluorene-2-acetonitrile there is obtained the title compound.

EXAMPLE 56 a-Methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid A mixture of fluorene-Z-carboxylic acid (3g.) in thioevolution of hydrogen has ceased, the mixture is cooled to 0 0 and treated dropwise with methyl iodide nylchloride(l0ml.) l5 refluxed for3 hr. and then evap- (2.82g.) in dimethylformamide (l0ml.). After stirring mated? The chlonde i ether h for minutes, the ice bath is removed and the mixture added dropwlse Over. a i Penod to a 1 stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction ether"(.175m|1) atfzo The mixture is then poured into ice water and extracted 30 stirring 15 continued for an additional 15 minutes and with ether. The ether extracts are washed with water, the h e dlazoethlahe removed In Vaeue at The dried (MgSO and evaporated to give the title remaining solvent is removed at 0 to give the crude pound. diazoketone. The diazoketone in benzyl alcohol (l5ml.) and collidine (5ml.) is heated rapidly to 180. EXAMPLES 47 To 52 After the evolution of nitrogen is complete, the cooled By reaction a fluorene-Z-acetonitrile as shown in the solution is extracted with ether. The ether extracts are left hand column of Table Vlll below with sodium hy- Washed With 10%HCL Water, dried g -l) and pdride and an alkyl halide as shown in the middle colorated. Theester in 50% methanol (30ml.) containing umn, in accordance with the procedure described in potassium hydroxide (4g.) isre'fluxedfor3'hr., concen- Example 46, the product shown in the right hand col- 40 trated, and extracted with'ethe'r. The aqueousjphase is umn of Table VIII is obtained. acidified and extracted with-ether. The ether extracts TABLE VIII X 'CH2CN X CHCN R Hal Example X R2 Hal X R2 47 CzHs CH3 Cl CzHa CH: 48 O C H3 C 2H5 B! 0 CH3 02115 49 NH; I NHz 50 NO; Br N02 51 Br t-o Hl Cl Br t 04H 52 NCHg 071115 Bl gCH: C7H15 are washed with water, dried (MgSO and evaporated EXAMPLE 53 to give the title compound. a-Methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid 5 EXAMPLE 57 2. l g. of a-methylfluorene-2-acetonitrile is refluxed in 60% aqueous ethanol (50ml.) containing potassium hydroxide (5g.) until the evolution of ammonia ceases. The ethanol is evaporated and the aqueous solution 7-Hydroxyfluorene-Z-acetic acid A solution of l4.5g. of methyl 7-aminofluorene-2- acetic acid in 380ml. of water containing 14ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is cooled to 2 and a solution of 3.63g. of sodium nitrite in ml. of water added dropwise while stirring. The diazonium solution is added over a 1 hour period while stirring to a refluxing solution of 1.1 liters of water containing 18ml. of sulfuric acid. The mixture is cooled and the solid collected by filtration. The solid is refluxed with lml. of 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution for 2 hr., and treated with Darco. The suspension is filtered, acidified with hydrochloric acid and the solid collected by filtration, dried, and crystallized from acetonitrile to give 9.4g. of the title compound, 24024ld.

EXAMPLE 58 7-Hydroxyfluorene-2-acetic acid A. Fermentation Surface growth from a two week old agar slant of Aspergillus niger (ATCC-9l42), the slant containing as Distilled Water to One Liter is suspended in 5ml. of 0.01% aqueous sodium lauryl sulfate solution. One ml. portions ofthis suspension are used to inoculate three 250ml. Erlenmeyer flaskes, each containing 50ml. of the following sterilized medium (B):

Glucose 30 Soy Bean Meal 20 Soy Bean Oil 2.0 CuCO 2.5

Distilled Water to One Liter After approximately 96 hours incubation at C with continuous rotary agitation (280 cycles/minute; two inch stroke), 5% (vol/vol) transfers are made to twenty 250ml. Erlenmeyer flasks each containing 50ml. of the following sterilized mediums (C):

Grams Corn Steep Liquor 6 NH H PO 3 Yeast Extract 2.5 Dextrose l0 CaCO-, 2.5

Distilled Water to One Liter After 24 hours of incubation, using the same conditions as described above, substrate (200 micrograms/ml.) is then added by supplementing each flask with 0.25ml. of a sterile solution (40mg./ml.) of fluorene-2-acetic acid in N,N-dimethylformamide. A total of 200mg. of fluorene-2-acetic acid is fermented.

After approximately six days of further incubation using identical conditions as described above the contents of the flasks are pooled and the broth is adjusted to pH 2.5 with l2N H 50 The acidified broth is then filtered through a Seitz clarifying pad. The flasks, mycelium and pad are washed with successive 100ml. portions of warm water. The combined filtrate and washings have a volume of l500ml.

Analv Calcd.

for C, -,H,. ,O;,: C. 74.99: H. 5.03. Found: 72; H. 4 80.

EXAMPLE 59 Methyl 7-Hydroxyfluorene-2-acetic acid A solution of 83mg. of 7-hydroxyfluorene-2-acetic acid in 2ml. of methanol and 5ml. of ether is treated with an excess of diazomethane in ether. After 20 min. at room temperature, the mixture is treated with several drops of acetic acid and evaporated. The residue is plate chromatographed on silica gel using chloroform as the developing solvent. The major band (UV) is eluted with ethyl acetate, evaporated, and the residue crystallized from acetone-isopropyl ether to give 36mg. of the title compound, mp l35.5l36.5. The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from acetone-isopropyl ether, mp l36-l37; M 5.85p.; n- 6.31 (S, 2CH CO C H Anal Calcd. for C,.,H O;,: C. 75. Found: C. 75.

EXAMPLE 60 Methyl 7-Methoxyfluorene-2-acetic acid A mixture of 59mg. of methyl 7-hydroxyfluorene-2- acetic acid, 13g of potassium carbonate, and 0.5ml. methyl iodide in l lml. of acetone is refluxed for 22 hr., filtered and the solid washed with additional acetone. The filtrate is evaporated and the residue plate chromatographed on silica gel employing chloroformhexane (2:1) as the developing solvent. Elution of the least polar band with ethyl acetate, evaporation and crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetateisopropyl ether gives 17mg. of the title compound, mp l l4l 15. Recrystallization from ethyl acetateisopropyl ether gives the analytical sample, mp ll4.5l l5.5; A 5.80

for c,,H,.,o C. 7610; H, 6.0l C, 75.90: H. 6.13.

Anal Calcd. Found:

EXAMPLE 6l 7-Methoxyfluorene-2-acetic acid by filtration. Crystallization from chloroform-isopropyl ether gives 8mg. of the title compound, mp 200202. The analytical sample is prepared by tube to tube evaporative distillation, mp 203205; M 593a.

Anal Calcd. Found:

for C -H O C. 75.57; H. 5.55.

EXAMPLE 62 2-(7-Methoxy-2-fluorenyl)propionic acid Following the procedures outlined in the four previous examples, but substituting a-methylfluorene-Z- acetic acid for fluorene-Z-acetic acid there is obtained the title compound.

EXAMPLE 63 7-Nitro-a-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid Anal. Calcd. for C .HI=,NO.: C. 67.84; H. 4.63; N.

Found: C. 68.07; H. 4 86; N

EXAMPLE 64 7-Nitro-oz-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid methyl ester A mixture of 7-nitro-a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid (16.8 g) in thionyl chloride (160 ml) is refluxed for 1 hour and excess thionyl chloride removed by distillation. The residue is treated with methanol (400 ml) and refluxed for 2.5 hours and then cooled. The solid is collected by filtration to give 13.2 g, mp 105107 of the titled product. The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from methanol, mp 108-l 10.

Anal. Calcd. for C ,-H.,-,NO,: C. 68.67; H. 5.08; N. 4.71

Found: C. 68.59; H. 5.05; N. 4.97.

EXAMPLE 65 7-Hydroxy-a-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid A slurry of 7-nitro-a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid methyl ester (13.1 g) in 78% ethanol (400 ml) is treated with a solution of calcium chloride (4.5 g) in water (6.1 ml), zinc dust (127 g) and charcoal (4.6 g) and the mixture refluxed for 2.5 hours. The hot mixture is filtered and the cake washed with hot 78% ethanol. The filtrate is diluted with water (800 ml) and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extracts are 5 concentrated HCl (1 1 ml) with the aid of heat. The solution is cooled to 3, stirred and treated dropwise with a solution of sodium nitrite (2.84 g) in water (15 ml) over a 30 minute period. The resulting diazonium solution is then added dropwise over a 1 hour period to boiling water (800 ml) containing concentrated sulfuric acid (13 ml). and then stirred for 30 minutes and cooled. The precipitate is collected by filtration and heated in 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide containing charcoal for 1 hour, cooled and acidified with 4N HCl. The solid is collected by filtration to give 8.0 g, mp 205207 of the titled product. The analytical sample is prepared by sublimation, mp 218-21-9.

Anal. Calcd for C..H..0 C. 75.57; H. 5.55

Found: C. 75.25; H. 5.75.

EXAMPLE 66 7-Methoxy-a-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid methyl ester A solution of 7'hydroxy-a-methylfluorene-2acetic acid (10.8 g) in methanol is treated with an excess of ethereal diazomethane to prepare the methyl ester. The ester is dissolved in acetone (550 ml) containing potassium carbonate (1 10 g) treated with methyl iodide (83 ml) and refluxed overnight. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue is treated with ethyl acetate and filtered to give the crude product. A portion of this material is plate chromatographed on silica gel employing chloroform-hexane (1:1) as the developing solvent. Elution of the least polar band with ethyl acetate, evaporation and crystallization of the residue from acetone-isopropyl ether gave the titled product (mp 98.5-l00.5). The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from acetone-isopropyl ether. mp lOl-l03.

Anal. Calcd for C.,.H,,.O;,: C, 76.57; H. 6.43

Found: C. 76.55; H. 6.30.

EXAMPLE 67 7-Methoxy-a-methylfluroene-Z-acetic acid The bulk of the crude product from the above reaction (Example 66) is refluxed in ethanol (200 ml) containing 40% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (40 ml) for 2 hours. The ethanol is removed by evaporation and the insoluble potassium salt suspended in water ml) and acidified with 6N HCl. The aqueous is extracted with ethyl acetate, and the extracts dried (MgSO and evaporated to give 9.5 g, mp 179l8l of the titled product. The analytical sample is prepared by recrystallization from ethyl acetate, mp 183-184.

Anal. Calcd for C H O C. 76.11); H. 6.08

Found: C. 75.88; H. 6.11.

EXAMPLE 68 7-Hydroxy-a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid A. Fermentation Surface growth from a two week old agar slant of Aspergillus niger (ATCC-9l42), the slant containing as nutrient medium (A):

Grams Glucose l Yeast extract 2.5 K HPO, l Agar 20 Distilled Water to One liter is suspended in ml of 0.01% aqueous sodium lauryl sulfate solution. One ml portions of this suspension are used to inoculate three 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks each containing 50 ml of the following sterilized medium Grams Glucose 30 Soy Bean Meal Soy Bean Oil 2.0 CaCO 2.5

Distilled Water to One Liter Grams Corn Steep Liquor 6 NH,H PO, 3 Yeast Extract 2.5 Dextrose l0 CaCO 2.5

Distilled Water to One Liter After 24 hours of incubation, using the same conditions as described above, substrate is then added by supplementing each flask with 0.25 ml of a sterile solution (60 mg/ml) of a-methyl-fluorene-2-acetic acid in N,N-dimethylformamide. A total of 300 mg of a-methyl-fluorene-Z-acetic acid is fermented.

After approximately six days of further incubation using identical conditions as described above the contents of the flasks are pooled and the broth is adjusted to pH 2.5 with l2N H SO,,. The acidified broth is then filtered through a Seitz clarifying pad. The flasks, mycelium and pad are washed with successive 100 ml poritions of warm water. The combined filtrate and washings have a volume of 1500 ml.

B. Isolation The thus obtained filtrate is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are washed with 8% salt solution, dried and evaporated. The residue is crystallized from ethyl acetate to give 98 mg of the title compound, mp 218220.

The following example demonstrates the resolution 'of a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid into its optical isomers:

EXAMPLE 69 A solution of 34.0 g of dla-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid in 300 ml of ethyl acetate, is treated with 17.8 g of d-a-methylbenzylamine. The suspension is diluted with additional ethyl acetate (200 ml), refluxed and treated with methanol (about 400 ml) until solution is achieved. The solution is concentrated to about onehalf its original volume, allowed to stand at room temperature overnight, and the resulting solid collected by filtration. The salt is recrystallized from ethyl acetatemethanol several times, and then converted to the free acid in the following manner. The salt is partitioned between ethyl acetate and 10% hydrochloric acid and the ethyl acetate layer separated and the aqueous washed with more ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are dried (Na SO and evaporated to give 5.0 g of the d isomer, mp l78l79, [01],, +56:l.

The mother liquor from the first crystallization is evaporated to dryness and converted to the free acid ([04],, 22). This acid is treated with l-amethylbenzylamine and the resulting salt recrystallized several times, and then converted in the same manner as described above into the free acid to give 5.0 g of the l-isomer, mp l79-l8l, [01],, 56il".

The following examples show the anti-inflammatory activity of fluorene-2-acetic acid and 7-chloro-fluorene-2-acetic acid as determined by carrageenininduced edema assay.

EXAMPLES AND VI The procedure for these experiments is to first orally administer the test compound to a rat. Two (2) hours later a solution of carrageenin is injected into the plantar surface of the hind paw of the rat. Three (3) hours after the injection (5 hours after administration of the drug) the edema in the treated paw is measured by weighing the paws. To establish the baseline, the weight of the contralateral paw is determined. A doseresponse curve is established, and the activity of the drug is recorded as the calculated dose that produces 50 percent inhibition (ID-, of the edema.

Example l .-,"(mg/kg) 70 fluorene-Z-acetic acid 67 7I 7-chloro-fluorene-Z-acetic approximately l50 acid What is claimed is:

l. A method for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with antiinflammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount of a compound having the structure 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the orally administered effective amount is from 100 milligrams to 2 grams per day.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the orally administered effective amount is from 100 milligrams to 1 gram per day.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount of a-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount of a-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid.

6. A method for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with antiinfiammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount offluorene-2-acetic acid.

7. A composition which can be orally administered to a mammalian host for the treatment of inflammatory conditions which comprises a compound having the structure macologically acceptable carrier therefor.

i= l l =l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 7 Dated December 24, 1974 1nventor(s) Eric T. Stiller, et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 20, insert a hyphen after the "on" Column 13, line 38, that portion reading: H, 5.5 should be:

Column 16, Example 32, Column X, should be: iC H Column 16, Example 42, line 58, the term on-methylenefluroene- 2-acetic" should be: cx-methylenefluorene-2-acetic-- Column 20, line 9, should read: (S, 9CH 2 Column 22, line 51, the title for Example 67 should be:

7-Methoxy-oc-methylfluorene-Z-acetic acid Column 23, line 44, the term "0Lmethylfluorene-Z-acetic" should be: ou-methylfluorene-2-acetic Column 23, line 46, the term on-methyl-fluorene-2-acetic" should be: oc-methvlfluorene-Z-acetic Signed and Sealed this twenty-third Day Of September 1975 [SEAL] A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Am'sting Officer ('mnmixsimur vj'lurenlx and Trademarks 

1. A METHOD FOR TREATING INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS IN A MAMMALIAN HOST RESPONSIVE TO TREATMENT WITH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS WHICH COMPRISES ORALLY ADMINISTERING TO A MAMMALIAN HOST AN EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND HAVING THE STRUCTURE
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the orally administered effective amount is from 100 milligrams to 2 grams per day.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the orally administered effective amount is from 100 milligrams to 1 gram per day.
 4. A method in accordance with Claim 1 for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount of Alpha -methylfluorene-2-acetic acid, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A method in accordance with claim 4 for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount of Alpha -methylfluorene-2-acetic acid.
 6. A method for treating inflammatory conditions in a mammalian host responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents which comprises orally administering to a mammalian host an effective amount of fluorene-2-acetic acid.
 7. A composition which can be orally administered to a mammalian host for the treatment of inflammatory conditions which comprises a compound having the structure
 8. A composition in accordance with claim 7 which comprises Alpha -methylfluorene-2-acetic acid and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier therefor. 